He has also worked in collaboration with instrumental performers including pianist Chick Corea and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. This collaboration has established him as an ambassador of both the classical and jazz worlds. His recordings have sold over 20 million copies.
In addition to his vocal performing career, Mr. McFerrin was appointed in 1994 as creative chair of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
He is the subject of a persistent yet wholly unfounded rumour that he has committed suicide. The rumor was so strong that the official Bobby McFerrin FAQ addressed the question.
Mr. McFerrin and his oft-maligned hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy" were parodied on "The Simpsons" as "I'm Worried - Need Money".
Spain
Bobby McFerrin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The leaves of brown on the ground
In Spain I did love and adore you
The nights filled with joy were our yesterdays
And tomorrow will bring you near me
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
I get a kick every time they play that Spain again
I can remember the rain in December
The leaves of brown on the ground
Our love was a Spanish fiesta
The bright lights and songs were our joy each day
And the nights were the heat of yearning
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
Yesterday I can say
I get a kick every time I see you gaze at me
I see moments of history
Your eyes meet mine and they dance to the melody
And we live again as if dreaming
The sound of our hearts beat like castanets
And forever we'll know their meaning
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
Yesterday I can say
I get a kick every time I see you gaze at me
The song, Spain, by Bobby McFerrin, talks about a nostalgic romance, where the singer recalls a past love affair in Spain. The lyrics narrate his memories of love, the rain and the autumn season, which reminds him of the past. His love for the woman is intense, and even though they are miles apart, the singer is certain that they will meet again. The use of bright lights and songs as a metaphor for the joy of their love in Spain highlights the passion and wildness of their romance. The words, 'the nights were the heat of yearning' reinforce this idea of passion and fire.
The lyrics also imply that the song, Spain, is equally rooted in the present and the past, and the meeting of the two creates a sense of being in a dream-like state where moments from the past come alive as if it's happening at that moment. The reference to castanets and the sound of the heartbeats dancing together is symbolic of a rhythmic connection between the two people in love. Ultimately, the song represents the beauty of pure and intense love and the lasting effect it has on people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I can remember the rain in December
I recall a moment in December where it rained
The leaves of brown on the ground
Autumn leaves had fallen and were lying on the ground
In Spain I did love and adore you
I felt love and adoration towards someone while in Spain
The nights filled with joy were our yesterdays
We have fond memories of joyous nights spent together in the past
And tomorrow will bring you near me
I look forward to being reunited with my loved one
I can recall my desire every reverie is on fire
I can remember my intense longings and passions in my daydreams
Can I get a picture of all my yesterdays?
Can I retrieve images and memories of the past?
Yesterday I can say
I can confidently say that I have happy reminiscence of yesterday
I get a kick every time they play that Spain again
I become excited and elated whenever I hear that song again
Our love was a Spanish fiesta
Our love was wild and celebratory, just like a traditional Spanish festival
The bright lights and songs were our joy each day
Our daily source of happiness stemmed from the vibrant lights and music surrounding us
And the nights were the heat of yearning
Our nights were filled with intense longing and desire
I get a kick every time I see you gaze at me
I feel a rush of excitement every time I catch my loved one looking at me
I see moments of history
I relive significant moments from our past
Your eyes meet mine and they dance to the melody
When our eyes meet, it feels like they are dancing together to the rhythm of the music
And we live again as if dreaming
We are transported back in time and feel like we are living a dream
The sound of our hearts beat like castanets
Our hearts beat in perfect harmony, much like the rhythmic clicking of castanets
And forever we'll know their meaning
We will always understand the significance of our synchronized heartbeats
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AL JARREAU, ARTHUR J. MAREN, CHICK COREA, JOAQUIN RODRIGO VIDRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
J Utley
Just hearing of Chick Coreas passing. This is one of the finest examples of a man truly joyful in his art, and of course Bobby is supremely talented as well.
RedditRabbit
goofy ahh jazz 💀💀
Caprise - Music
@RedditRabbit so many tears
Eira Rodriguez
Yo tambien, siempre me ha gustado su musica.
Eira Rodriguez
Yo no puedo vivir sin musica, me quedaria totalmente tonta , si no podria oir musica, que bueno, que podemos comunicar, oiendo la musica y hablando de la y varias vezes tambien de otras cosas, muchos saludos para Ustedes todos! ❤
Valdy Valere
To everyone...you don't need to know what he's saying. This man is clearly showing that the voice is an instrument first and foremost and that it can be transformed into anything you want. He's immitating basslines masterfully, singing in violin ranges, creating natural effects that give off an ethereal vibe, all while chanting. Normally people need a whole ensemble to do half the things he's doing. Chick Corea is already a freak of nature but, Bobby McFerrin is also a legend. Don't try and label his talent or try to approach it like some science project. Don't call it 'noise'. Just appreciate great music.
Suknie Ślubne Toruń - Salon sukien ślubnych Mori Lee.
I love it!
WOLFROY47
feel the vibes man bee cool baby
jay Jones
eXACTLY!!!
Kevin Widjaja
No one is even saying anything about the singer. You are just assuming that there is bound to be someone in the comment section that doesn't like the singer. Comments like uours are not even necessary in the first place :)